Schedule of Events
Join Us in 2009 as we Honor the Czech RepublicApril 27 - May 2, 2009 the 56 Annual International Azalea Festival will celebrate the Czech Reublic, a broad array of events will take place. Come and experience the pomp and patriotism of a Flag Raising Ceremony, the Coronation of Queen Azalea and her Court, the Parade of Nations, Queen’s Interantional Ball, a Golf Classic and much more. We hope you will start marking your calendar for these fantastic events. Please continue to check back, as we continue to plan, so that you will have specifics!
Tour groups, please feel free to contact us or Norfolk’s Convention and Visitors Bureau so that we may help you plan your tour during festival week. Schedule of Festival Events
Thursday, April 23, 2009
HQ ACT NATO International Azalea Festival Golf Classic Sewells Point Golf Course Sponsored By Dodge  |  |  | Queen Azalea with NATO Youth Golf Clinic | Queen Azalea Takes a Swing | The Winners take the Trophy |
Monday, April 27 (tentative) Flag Raising Ceremony NATO HQ ACT Flag Plaza 10:30a.m. Cost:FREE and Open to the Public with Base Access, ID’s required Hosted by the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation to honor The Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norfolk’s International Azalea Festival's most honored nation. The raising of all NATO member nations flags with musical accompaniment by the US Atlantic Fleet Band and a military band from the Czech Republic is a breathtaking experience you don’t want to miss. Tuesday, April 28 (tentative) ODU/ACT Academic Symposium Ted Constant Center 8:30a.m. - 5:30p.m. Topic To Be AnnouncedThe annual ACT/ODU Symposium will bring together leaders, academics, engineers and emergency responders from both regions to discuss the issues at hand and analyze plans, processes and tools, particularly modelling and simulation, that can be used to mitigate the impact issues of international security. The conference will be open to invited guests only from among the political, military, business, academic and media leadership of the local, state and national communities.For further details visit http://www.act.nato.int/ or contact CDR Marco Mazza at HQSACT, 757 747 3182, marco.mazza@act.nato.int Wednesday, April 29 (tentative) NATO Student Forum Norfolk State University, L. Douglas Wilder Center 8:30a.m. – 11:30a.m. Sponsored by Norfolk State University Intelligence Center for Academic ExcellenceTopic To Be AnnouncedNorfolk High School students with guidance provided by Staff Officers from NATO ACT HQ and NSU mentors will tackle a fascinating subject in the annual competition. Join us for a spirited discussion and artistic interpretation by Norfolk Public Schools students. Eigth Annual GRAPEVINE Norfolk Botanical Garden 6 – 9PM Wine and beer tasting and selections ~Eclectic Fare of local Restaurants and Caterers ~Sunset tram, horse drawn carriage and live opera serenaded boat tours ~ This indoor and outdoor setting will have a variety of bands to dance to and enjoy ~ (757)441-5830 • http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/ Thursday, April 30 (tentative) World Affairs Council Dinner 7:45pm Dinner with 8:30pm Program Contact the World Affairs Council at 757-226-1202 www.hrwac.org Friday, May 1 (tentative) Queen's Coronation and Scholarship Presentation Norfolk Botanical Garden 10:00am/ Renaissance Garden Garden admission is free for those arriving for coronation between 9-10 am. Open to the public. Join us as we crown 56th Queen Azalea and her Court in the beautiful Renaissance Gardens of the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Local and international dignitaries will be attendance. Queen's Fashion Show & Luncheon Details To Be Announced Virginia International Tattoo Norfolk Scope Arena International Azalea Festival Night 7:30 PM A Tribute to Veterans - This is the largest Tattoo in the United States, presented with all the grandeur and splendor of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Pageantry and patriotism, spirit and spectacle, talent and teamwork, precision personified. Over 850 performers from around the world will join forces, filling the Scope with music, majesty and might. The Tattoo is action packed and offers a special Friday evening tribute to the Czech Republic, the Azalea Festival's Most Honored Nation, and the region's Armed Forces. The Virginia International Tattoo is presented by the Virginia Arts Festival. For additional information and show times visit their wesite at http://www.virginiaartsfest.com/tattoo.html Saturday, May 2 56th Annual Parade of Nations 10 am/ Waterside Drive Norfolk Come see the longest, continuous running parade in the region and the only in the Nation saluting NATO. Families from all over Hampton Roads come together in Downtown Norfolk to watch a fabulous parade of bands, floats and performing units representing all NATO member nations. See your favorite high school bands plus more from around the country. Performing units from across Hampton Roads and the world are joined by NJROTC teams, military units and highlighted with the Princesses and Student Diplomats on colorful floats of each NATO nation. The parade concludes as the 56th International Azalea Queen makes her way down the parade route. Great views can be had anywhere along the parade route from Waterside Dr to Boush St. ending at Freemason Ave. .jpg) | Norfolk's International Azalea Festival is pleased to welcome bands and marching units from all over the country and all over the world. If your high school band is interested in joining the fun, please contact PAC at 1-800-USA-FEST. |
Interested in marching in the 2009 Parade of Nations? Click here for more information. Immediately following the parade, just a short stroll to Town Point Park for NATOFest 2009. Visit 26 Countries in a Day at NATOfest 2009 Location To Be Announced | 11:30 am - 3:00 pm / Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk Free and open to the public Explore 26 Countries in a Day." Food, culture, and entertainment from the 26 member NATO nations. are just a few of the specials in store for you at NATOfest 2009. Children will explore the wonderment of NATO through a fun educational activity book and a special play area just for them. This child and adult friendly event will provides hours of entertainment | | Vendor Application for International Marketplace | |
Azalea Festival Regatta The Norfolk Naval Sailing Association and Norfolk Naval Sailing Center are proud to host the 2009 Azalea Festival Regatta as part of Norfolk’s 56th International Azalea Festival’s Salute to NATO. The Regatta will provide a keelboat and a dinghy venue. For more information visit their website at http://www.norfolknavalsailing.org/ Queen’s International Ball Details To Be Announced |
